Testing: Product Acceptability
The WoolSafe test methods and performance requirements are designed to ensure that the product performs the function for which it is sold and does not have a deleterious effect on wool carpets or rugs.
The WoolSafe performance criteria for products suitable for use on wool and wool rich floor coverings and furnishing fabrics are based on accumulated performance data of floor coverings and maintenance products, and on internationally used standards and protocols.
Testing is carried out on products diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions. If there is a range, the worst case scenario is taken; the product must be safe when most concentrated but must work when most diluted.
Tests and requirements for all products
|
Test for: |
Requirement: |
|
Oxidising and reducing agents |
Must be absent |
|
Optical brighteners |
Must be absent |
|
Buffering |
If pH is above 4, product must not be strongly buffered |
|
Alkalinity (determined as the volume of 0.1N HCl needed to neutralise and acidify a 100 ml sample) |
Less than 5ml to pH=7 |
|
Effect on colour fastness of floor coverings |
Must not have a detrimental effect |
|
Evaporation residue |
Must be dry, preferably powdery or crystalline; waxy could be accepted if dust adhesion is minimal |
|
(Re-)soiling characteristics (ISO 11378 – Part 1) |
Must not increase re-soiling after application |
|
Hazards and other safety aspects (e.g. flammability) |
Must be free of safety hazards |
|
Application instructions |
Must be accurate, clear and unambiguous |
Additionally for spot and stain removers
|
Reducing agents |
Must be absent |
|
Oxidising agents |
Peroxide based oxidisers are allowed in specialist products (e.g. oxi-spotters) |
|
Spot (stain) removal performance (ISO 13750) |
Must meet or exceed industry standard |
Additionally for cleaning chemicals
|
Cleaning performance (ISO 11379) |
Must meet or exceed industry standard |
Additionally for soil retardant and stain resist finishes
|
Influence on texture, colour, handle |
Must not have any detrimental effect on texture, handle or colour of floor coverings |
|
Level of treatment (oil wicking) |
Must show adequate covering of fibres |
|
Oil and water repellency tests |
Must meet industry standards of repellency |
|
Soiling (Soil Retardants) |
Must significantly improve soil resistance |
|
Staining (Stain Repellents and Stain Resist agents) |
Must significantly improve stain repellency or stain resistance |
Additionally for pile rinsing and neutralising agents
|
pH |
Must not be lower than pH 2.5 |
Additionally for deodorizers
|
Odour removal characteristics |
Must be able to remove objectionable odours1 |
Additionally for antistatic agents
|
Odour removal characteristics |
Must be able to suppress the generation of static on floor coverings2 |
Additionally for insect resist agents
|
Insect resist characteristics |
Must be able to resist insect infestations on floor coverings2 |
1 Tested by WoolSafe or WoolSafe will accept independent Test
2 Valid independent Test House certification is required
For further details see WS 1001Protocol for the evaluation and certification of carpet cleaning chemicals for the WoolSafe Mark, or contact the WoolSafe office.
Testing: WoolSafe Test Methods
- CCP 1 Sampling and preparation of test sample
- CCP 2 Method for the detection of oxidising agents
- CCP 3 Method for the detection of reduction agents
- CCP 4 Method for the detection of additives in carpet cleaning products
- CCP 5 Determination of pH
- CCP 6 Determination of alkalinity
- CCP 7 Determination of the non-volatile components of cleaning formulations
- CCP 8 Cleaning performance tests
- CCP 9 Determination of the re-soiling propensity of carpet maintenance products
- CCP 10 Evaporation residue and dust adhesion – plate tests
- CCP 11 Colour fastness test
- CCP 12 Flammability of aerosol foam shampoos and absorbent powder formulations
- CCP 13 Oil wicking test for textile floor coverings
- CCP 14 Assessment of the efficiency of stain removal products
- CCP 15 Assessment of the staining propensity of textile floor coverings treated with stain resistant finishes
- CCP 16 Assessment of the soiling propensity of textile floor coverings treated with soil resistant finishes
- CCP 17 Method for assessing the oil and water repellency of textile floor coverings
- CCP 18 Standardised cleaning test for textile floor coverings (ISO 11379)
- CCP 19 Laboratory soiling test (Kappasoil test) (ISO 11378 – Part 1)
- CCP 20 Determination of the presence of fluorescent brightening agents in domestic washing products
- CCP 21 Light fastness test – daylight
- CCP 22 Method of assessing the odour removal properties of deodorants
